SVG for print graphics

Question

How well has Scalable Vector Graphics worked for print?

I need to programmatically generate graphics for inclusion in print documents. It seems there are only two serious contenders for a target file format, EPS and SVG.

As a programmer, SVG looks easier to work with, but it doesn't appear to have been accepted by the graphics industry. There used to be projects to base print graphics on SVG (e.g. Adobe PDFXML), but none appear to be active now. Also, Adobe's tools seem to have ended a brief fling with SVG.

If I chose SVG as the deliverable format, what problems might there be, compared to the alternative(s)? I've heard complaints about SVG's handling of text, but I haven't found any detailed discussion. Another thing I suspect might be an issue is how cleanly SVG converts to PDF.

Answer 1

Actually, for print EPS or PDF would be better. SVG is okay for web (which is what it was designed for) but often there are issues with RIPs when printing. Most designers who are supplied SVG files will open them in a vector app and re-save as either native files, eps or PDF. I would NEVER send an SVG file to a print provider.

Answer 2

I have used abcPDF to programmatically convert generated SVG to PDF for printing purposes. It's been about 4 years, but I can't imagine support for it in the library would've lessened.